Man's – and child’s – best friend

Kousa dogwoods have all the same characteristics of the popular eastern or Florida dogwoods but are much more resistant to the fungal disease anthracnose. (PAT MUNTS)

We love our dogs and they love us – and they are willing to protect us in dangerous situations. And that is exactly what one dog did. Remarkably, the adults listened to the dog when it “warned” them of an abusive babysitter they had hired to care for their baby.

The dog’s unsettling reaction to the woman who cared for their child alarmed the parents so they put an iPhone within audio recording distance and listened to the woman. What they heard was shocking: screaming and cursing at the child to shut up and then slapping sounds.

The parents submitted the recording to the police; the child deemed in good physical condition after a visit to the hospital. (Read story)